The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant William H. Gilpin (ASN: 35204330), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 25 January 1945, in the vicinity of Jebsheim, France. An enemy counterattack threatened to overwhelm Sergeant Gilpin’s machine gun position. To prevent this, Sergeant Gilpin stood up and threw hand grenades at them. Although shot through the jaw by an enemy bullet, Sergeant Gilpin nevertheless continued to throw grenades until he had stopped all the enemy and forced them to retire. After the battle, Sergeant Gilpin refused to leave the positions until he had checked all his men and was officially relieved by his platoon leader. Sergeant Gilpin’s magnificent courage and outstanding gallantry under fire reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.